My obsession with role-playing seems to have distorted the world's aesthetic.

"That's... a lady?"

Just then, Jean, who had just left the city and repelled a wave of slimes near Mondstadt, saw the figure entering the alley and said somewhat uncertainly.

Why does this woman look like she's been beaten up after just a few days?

Wait a minute, clutching her lower abdomen, could it be that her monthly bleeding has started?

Upon seeing this, Qin instinctively prepared to fetch the lady some items she might need during this period, but in the next second she suddenly realized something.

What's the big deal about him fetching these things for the lady? As an executive officer of the Fools, she should have plenty of people under her command who could do it for her.

Forget it, let the people of Zhidong think about their own affairs.

Just as Qin was thinking this, a woman's somewhat annoyed voice came from the alley: "Damn Xi and Barbatos, if it weren't for your gang fighting this time..."

"Hmph, the Fools aren't done with you yet!"

Qin was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, but the outline of the incident quickly formed in her mind.

The woman's current condition is most likely not due to menstruation, but rather because she was beaten.

It seems that Lord Barbatos found an accomplice to catch the lady somewhere in Mondstadt and beat her up. Sure enough, Lord Barbatos has been watching Mondstadt all along!

Recalling the wind god who had protected Mondstadt for a thousand years, Jean's eyes ignited with fighting spirit.

Even Lord Barbatos has been working hard to protect Mondstadt, so of course I can't let my guard down.

Well, it's appropriate to spread the news that Lord Barbatos, together with others, taught the lady a lesson. This should help stabilize morale at this time.

After all, having a diligent and dedicated Anemo Archon standing behind them, protecting Mondstadt and getting things done, would undoubtedly make them feel much more at ease when facing the Fatui. The Fatui should also be more cautious after this incident.

"I am Jyn Gunnhildr, the acting Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius."

How can we stop here? As long as we keep striving, the road will keep stretching out, and the flower of hope will bloom at the end of the road!

Jean's gaze gradually hardened, and just then, a figure passed by behind her and overheard Jean's words. Noelle, wearing her breastplate, was instantly energized upon hearing this.

"If Leader Qin is working so hard, I need to work even harder too!"

Just as Noelle was preparing to work even harder as a maid, the lady in the alley had already walked away in a disheveled state.

"Barbatos, the Anemo Archon of Mondstadt... Every time, someone just happens to appear to save the day. Wait, was this also part of your plan, Barbatos!"

The woman's expression changed as she muttered to herself, while the "Barbatos" she had imagined had already returned to the gift of the angels.

"In any case, you did help me just now, so I should repay you. I can grant you a request that is not excessive and is within my ability."

After leading Xia Qing to the second floor of the Angel's Gift, Diluc spoke with a serious expression. Xia Qing pondered for a moment and then muttered to herself:

"I don't seem to have any requests right now, but is this the biggest tavern in Mondstadt? Hmm, I'm not really that interested in alcohol."

Xia Qing's words made Diluc nod. The statement that he wasn't very interested in alcohol seemed to subconsciously increase Diluc's favorability towards him.

"I've actually hardly ever drunk any alcohol, so there's no need to prepare any for me. Um... shouldn't we get down to business now?"

Recalling Diluc's earlier instructions in his tavern to bring a bottle of good wine, Xia Qing glanced downstairs and said this.

Chapter 553: Diluc's Lover Reveals His Determination.

Xia Qing, who didn't have anything urgent at the moment, didn't refuse when Diluc asked if she wanted to go to Angel's Gift to discuss how to deal with the Fatui.

"Indeed, I've been quite busy lately, so I don't have much time to do anything else. Now, let's discuss how to deal with the Fools."

Diluc began to speak seriously, revealing that his current thought was to win them over, as relying solely on his own strength to deal with the Fatui was far too weak.

It must be said that the power of the Lady Executor of the Fools has exceeded her expectations; she has absolutely no means to resist the chilling aura that seems capable of freezing everything.

Well, it's not entirely true that there isn't any.

Diluc suddenly remembered the power he had previously acquired, the Book of Idols.

Previously, in the Wind Dragon Ruins, I successfully resisted the cold air with the help of that secret manual. At that time, I seemed to have used the little power that the manual itself possessed.

To replenish the power of that secret scripture, one must become an idol.

Thinking of this, Diluc took a deep breath. So what if he debuted as an idol? What's so difficult about that? He's Diluc, after all.

In order to save himself from being targeted by the Fatui, Diluc decides to debut as an idol.

Although he had this idea in his mind, he was still quite troubled about how to implement it.

As Diluc thought this, Xia Qing, sitting opposite him, pondered for a moment and said, "According to my findings from those Mollusks, the Fatui seem to be actively searching for something in Mondstadt."

"If we find that thing and make a deal with the Fools, maybe we can call it even?"

Xia Qing, who already knew the conclusion, was now portrayed as Qingxi, a scholar from a distant land, so he spoke in a tone that suggested he didn't understand what the Fools were looking for.

At this moment, Diluc recalled the words he had heard during his battle with the lady, and after a moment of thought, he slowly said:

"What you're suggesting probably won't work. Even if you do find it, trading it to the Fatui would be tantamount to declaring war on Mondstadt."

Diluc had already guessed what that thing was; it was the very thing the lady had mentioned before, called the Heart of God.

Judging from the name, that thing should be somewhat similar to the Eye of God that I possess, and its owner seems to be the wind god Barbatos.

Judging from these two points, could it be that... the Heart of God is something similar to the Eye of God on a deity?

As Diluc thought this, Xia Qing pretended to ponder for a moment before saying:

"I see. It must be something like a symbol of power, like the scepter of the Empress Zhi Dong."

If this type of thing is traded, it will indeed attract a lot of hatred.

Although I really don't want to get involved with those troublesome Fatui guys, if a fight really breaks out...

"Give me some time to create enough Infernals, and then I can raze the Fatui base in Mondstadt."

Diluc was slightly taken aback by Xia Qing's speech. The calmness and confidence in his words suggested that the scholar was serious.

You said you didn't have great power?

You have the confidence to easily destroy the Fools' base, yet you claim to be weak. What kind of person are you?

Just as Diluc was thinking this, Xia Qing suddenly saw a figure walk in from the doorway. It was none other than Venti, who had just leisurely strolled over.

Facing Wendy, who had entered the angel's gift, Xia Qing thought for a moment and turned to Diluc beside her: "Looks like you can repay the favor you owe me~"

"Ok?"

Hearing this, Diluc was a little confused, while Xia Qing glanced at Wendy at the door and casually said:

"Use the favor you owe me as payment, and treat that bard to a good drink."

Upon hearing this, Diluc frowned slightly: "It's fine to just casually mention something like this; I don't care about a little bit of money for drinks."

The value of my personal connections far exceeds the price of treating someone to a single drink.

"He's just an ordinary bard. Even if he can drink a lot, how much more can he drink? Are you sure you want to use the favor I owe him for something like this?"

Diluc's tone was full of incomprehension; did this scholar underestimate the value of his personal favors?

Xia Qing said nonchalantly, "That's exactly what I was thinking. Besides, he's not just anyone who can drink."

Hearing this, Diluc felt somewhat helpless. Since the other party had already made up their mind, there was no need for him to try to dissuade them.

"He's not just a regular drinker, is he? Now that you mention it, I'm curious how much he can drink."

After Diluc finished speaking, he waved towards the waiter's position, while Venti, the bard, had already begun his duties.

For a bard, what Wendy is doing now should be considered a proper job.

An ancient melody reappeared in this era as Venti strummed his strings, and just as the song ended, the servant who had been instructed by Diluc quickly seized the opportunity to come to Venti's side.

After slowly recounting Lord Diluc's personal instructions that all alcoholic beverages were free and unlimited for him, Wendy's eyes lit up as he finished playing the harp.

"Hey, really? Then I won't hold back!"

After Wendy concluded that Diluc's decision to drink unlimited beverages was due to being moved by the music she played, she nodded.

Hmm, it seems he's someone who understands art!

As Wendy thought this, she suddenly remembered that the name sounded very familiar.

After a moment's recollection, the scene he had witnessed in the Wind Dragon Ruins came to mind.

Oh, so it's that idol who wanted to become the Wind God before. After recalling Diluc's previous remarks, Venti temporarily considers him an idol.

After glancing towards the second floor, Wendy saw a stranger with a few strands of black hair across from Diluc. He thought for a moment and decided that he should go upstairs and greet them first.

Yes, politeness. As a bard, one should be polite.

As soon as Wendy thought this, she quickly moved and walked towards the table next to the stairs on the second floor.

The two people talking near the stairs didn't seem to care much about being overheard; the noisy crowd in the Angel's Gift was the perfect cover.

At this time of day, the surrounding area is mostly populated by people who enjoy drinking. In this environment, it's unlikely that anyone would deliberately listen to his conversation with Diluc.

Chapter 554: Barbara, go for it!

After talking with Diluc for a while and learning about Xia Qing's actions, Wendy was slightly puzzled, but the puzzlement quickly turned into relief.

Hmm, it must be because of my superb musical skills that that person chose to let me drink as much as I wanted. Sure enough, there are quite a few people in Mondstadt who understand music.

Faced with this unlimited drinking opportunity, Venti naturally wouldn't allow it to be refused. After chatting casually with Venti for a while about things like recommendations for scenery near Mondstadt, they decided to have some drinks.

Xia Qing estimated the time and got up to say goodbye. Having obtained forbidden knowledge and possessing the power to predict the future, Amber could no longer remain silent.

Previously, due to Diluc's interference, Stanley's "secret text" did not appear in Amber and others' field of vision. Now, Amber is also confused as to whether the unconscious words she uttered were a subconscious outburst due to overwork.

At this moment, Amber, the "master of forbidden knowledge," had just completed a raid on the Hilichurl camps surrounding the city, and as she walked to the city gate, she saw a familiar figure.

Waving at the figure, Luminous, who was about to raid the Hilichurl camp for some Mora flowers, casually asked Amber:

"Did you go clear out the Hilichurl camps near the city again? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Amber stretched in response to Ying's words: "It's alright, it's alright. The Hilichurl camps near Mondstadt have been basically cleared out."

After what happened at the Wind Dragon Ruins, the Hilichurls stopped advancing on Mondstadt. Today, the last wave of Hilichurls has been dealt with.

By the way, Ying, what are you planning to do this time? Is there anything I can help you with?

Hearing Amber's words, Ying didn't react much. After the Hilichurl camps near the city were cleared out, she just had to walk a little further.

Well, the structures I can currently sense, known as teleportation anchors, seem to be limited to a few areas around Mondstadt and places like the Stormterror's Lair.